Mahlab takes part in NEPAD meeting

Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab took part in the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) meeting held here early Saturday on the fringe of the African Union Summit.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi delegated Mahlab to attend the summit on his behalf.

The Egyptian delegation participating in the summit include Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Environment Khaled Fahmy.

NEPAD discussed a number of issues of top priority to Africa, especially agriculture, infrastructure, means of bolstering integration among African blocs to achieve the targets of regional integration, as well as development of partnerships with the international community.

Addressing the meeting, Mahlab asserted that Egypt, as one of the founders of NEPAD, supported efforts aimed at achieving the development goals of Africa, especially in the agricultural sector and infrastructure.

He highlighted the outcome of the three African blocs summit (COMESA-SADC-EAC) held in Sharm El Sheikh last week, noting that it was a turning point in backing African efforts to establish free trade area over the past years.